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PC seniors will still graduate

Graduation ceremonies for the Pierce County High School Class of 2020 are up in the air, but local school officials have not officially canceled the May 22 commencement yet.

The COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic led Governor Brian Kemp to close schools for the remainder of the 2019-2020 academic year, abruptly ending the senior year for the Class of 2020.

School superintendent Dr. Kevin Smith announced at Thursday’s work session no decision has been made about graduation at this point.

“We don’t know what is going to happen in the future until the coronavirus threat has passed,” he said.

Smith said it does appear likely, however, that alternate plans will have to be made.

“If we can’t have it on May 22, we will make every effort to reschedule the ceremony for a time that is appropriate and acceptable in the future,” he said.

Smith said current Department of Education guidance is that student eligibility for graduation for seniors and for promotion for all other grade levels, will be based on the students’ academic standing at the time classes were suspended.